The View from Toronto

TORONTO STAR

Bruce Arthur: Toronto Maple Leafs take baby steps in shutout loss to L.A. Kings

“The Kings weren’t hitting with the same relentlessness that they usually do, that ceaseless wallpapering that wears teams down, but they’re still hard to play.”

Kevin McGran: Maple Leafs giving up fewer shots under coach Peter Horachek

“The stud for the Kings was defenceman Drew Doughty, who got an assist on the opening goal and has six points (one goal, five assists) in the last six games.”

THE GLOBE AND MAIL

James Mirtle: Leafs defensive game dramatically improved despite loss

“The Leafs gave up only 20 shots, for one, and had a 48 per cent possession rating against a Kings team that had a dominant 58 per cent mark in its last 15 games, driving play extremely well against several clubs with better records than Toronto.”

TORONTO SUN

Lance Hornby: Maple Leafs fall against Kings despite holding Cup champs to 20 shots

“Ex-King Bernier gave up a first-minute goal, with the Leafs defence mesmerized by Jeff Carter and Doughty weaving around their goal and Anze Kopitar popping one under the crossbar.”

NATIONAL POST

Michael Traikos: Toronto Maple Leafs lightening the load on Jonathan Bernier under Peter Horachek

“In the three games that Horachek has coached, Bernier’s shots per game have dropped by 10. It is not an insignificant number.”

THE LEAFS NATION

Shawn Reis: Leafs Post-Game: Fly at 11

“Returning to his old stomping grounds, Jonathan Bernier didn’t get the win he was hoping for tonight. He did, however, stop 19 of 20 shots in a game where nobody on his team scored a goal.”

SB Nation – PENSION PLAN PUPPETS

Bower Power: Leafs Fall to LA 2-0, And the Hits Just Keep On Coming

” Simply, the Kings did a great job of forcing the Leafs into areas where there aren’t any options. I think the Leafs got much more creative in the second, and found ways to get the puck into the zone.”